Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-11-17
.Judge Stuart's Defeat.

To the editor of the Alexandria Gazette:
1t having been repeatedly stated since the
last election, that Judge Stuart's defeat was
due to the adverse solidty of the colored
voters of Alexandria county, desire to cor
rect the undoubted error and injustice of
such imputation.
Let US compare his vote of 1885, when 10
opposing element within his own party en-.
tered into his canvass, with the vote of 1887
Then in Alexandria city he had an sggre
gate of 1893 votes; in Alexandria county
331 votes. In 1887 the city gave him 1898
votes, being a loss or shortage OF 295; the
county 266 votes, 8 loss of TO.
The opposition TO him in the county was
led 10 each district by democrats. 10 JET
ferson district, i'll which AZ of the 6j loss is
found, one who had been delegate 10 the
democratic nominating convention, and
came within three votes Of being elected
Clerk of the County Court last May. WAS al
open enemy, and most zealously canyassed
among his many colored supporters prior to
and on the day of election.
In Arlington district, in which % loss i.
found, member of the democratic execu
tive committee went also to the front in tho
same most Jealous opposition
Washington district shows shortage of
one vote only. Yet number of democrats
voted against him.
In all three districts most vigorous fight
against Judge Stuart was made on election
day by scores of democrats at the pollF, and
no stone was left unturned By them in order
to win both white and colored voters to cast
their ballots against the Judge.
lam a republican, but in full beliefthat the
best interests OF the county would be better
subserved by Judge Stuart's election than by
that of his opponent, Mr.. Corbet, I not only
voted for the Judge, but counseled colored
men to also vote for him, aud, at a low esti.
mate, not less than sixty of them did so.
For several years the republicans OF the
county have put aside party lines on local
Issues. This began with The election of Mr..
Clements as Commonwealth attorney and
Mr.. Johnson as supervisor. Subsequently,
in square fight for supervisor of Arlington
district, of which I am q citizen, between
George Veitch mot only white democrat
but Confederate soldier and colored
man, the former was elected with sweep
by the aid of colored voters In last springs
election the same state of things
is found, Mr.. Clements being re elected,
Mr.. Young elected Clerk of Court, etc, and on
the 9Th instant Judge Stuart had goodly mum.
Der of these same colored men to support him.
With the causes leading the Judges former white
supporters not only to desert him, but TO go OPEN
| ly into an opposition vote and canvass, we repub-
licans who supported him at the last election have
nothing to do.
| In our antagonism to Malone we stood up for
Stuart his friends stabbed him. Et III, Brutus
To me it is a matter of deepest regret that he
has been defeated, for the county will have need
10 inf for obi al
vices at the hands OF her legislator in matters of
gravest Importance for her future material inter
ests. But want the responsibility for his defeat
sada!6d upon those to whom it properly belongs
The colored men of the comfy deserve cret:...
rather than reproach under the circumstances.
They are By instinct republicans, yet their sup
port of Messrs. Stuart Clements. Young, Veitch
and others, shows their appreciation OF duty in
local matters. But when they are met at the polls
by democrats soliciting their votes for republi-
can, the only wonder is that could be found TO
vote for Judge Stuart. R 8. LACEY.
BALLsToN, Alexandria CO., Nov. 1887.